06/12/2026
Meet Shannon Beishuizen! â¨
One of five candidates running for National Asparagus Festival Queen!
She is a lifelong resident of Oceana County with deep roots in agriculture. She grew up on her family's dairy farm, milking cows, hauling hay, and driving tractors at a young age. A proud
1995 graduate of Montague Area Public Schools, Shannon was active member of the FFA during her time there. After high school, Shannon worked as a teller at Shelby State Bank for five years before dedicating herself to raising her four beautiful daughters. After 12 years as a stay-at-home mom, she reentered the workforce, spending eight years at Montague Area Public Schools, where she held various roles- from lunchroom assistant to classroom paraprofessional. In 2020, Shannon
transitioned to a leadership role, being elected as the Grant Township Clerk, a position she has held proudly for the last five years.
Shannon and her husband, Scott, reside in New Era where they have not only cultivated a variety of fruit, such as cherries and peaches. Together, they have fostered a love of agriculture in their daughters, guided them through 4H and FFA, where they raise swine and participated in agricultural competitions. Since 2015, Shannon and her family have shifted their focus from fruit farming to becoming dedicated asparagus producers. Shannon is excited to share her passion for agriculture and asparagus with others and looks forward to continuing her journey in the industry.
Shannon describes herself as Authentic, Reliable, Approachable. Shannon shared that her hobbies include engaging in activities that spark her creativity such as candle making, scrapbooking, and decorating. âI also cherish traveling with family and friends, creating lasting memories together. I enjoy shopping and pride myself in finding the best deals- not just for myself but others tooâ.
Shannon shared that growing up, her grandfather was an asparagus producer, and from a young age, she had the opportunity to assist with harvest by picking and sorting asparagus. Throughout middle school and
high school, she continued to pick and assist in the harvesting process for a neighboring farmer. And as an adult, she and her husband Scott have continued the asparagus legacy ourselves, sharing, âWe began our journey in 2015 with 8 acres, and over the years, we've expanded to 20 acres. This spring, we are excited to
expand further with planting an additional 10 acresâ.
When asked what would make her a good representative of the national asparagus festival and the Oceana county, asparagus industry, Shannon replied, âI believe I would be an excellent representative of the NAF and the Oceana County asparagus industry for several reasons. My hands-on experience and background in the industry have equipped me with the knowledge to be a valuable asset in this role. Additionally, I am approachable and have
strong communication skills, which are essential qualities for any effective representativeâ.
When asked what she plans to do with the $1,000 scholarship/charitable organization award, Shannon shared â I would be honored to donate the $1,000 award to Helping Hands Food Pantry in Rothbury. This pantry, which serves approximately 65 families each month, also provides emergency assistance when needed. Helping Hands supports its clients with educational resources and referrals to other community servicesâ.
Shannonâs favorite way to eat asparagus is to put it on the grill, seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Shannon is sponsored by American Asparagus of New Era.
